Heat-exchanging band



Dec. 1, 1964 G. SCHOLL 3,159,210

HEAT-EXCHANGING BAND Filed March 10, 1961 United States Patent 3,159,210 HEAT-EXQHANGENG BAND Giinter Schiiil, Mulbergerstrasse 21/ A, Esslingen (Necirar), Germany Fiied Mar. 10, 1961, Ser. No. 94,893 Claims priority, application Germany, Apr. 16, 196i), Sch 27,756 15 Claims. (til. 165- -1il) The present invention relates to heat exchangers.

More particularly, the present invention relates to that type of heat exchanger where a moving heat-exchanging elemen-t passes from one chamber where it receives heat to another chamber where it gives up heat and so on back and forth between the chambers.

In heat exchangers of this type, the heat-exchanging element which passes between the chambers may be composed of coil springs as shown in U.S. Patent 2,740,615.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide in a heat exchanger of this type a band of coil springs which will have an exceedingly large area and volume to store heat received in one chamber and give up the heat in the other chamber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for a heat-exchanging band of this type a structure which will not only participate in the interconnection of the coil springs of the band but which will also contribute to the prevention of communication between the chambers from which the heat is derived and to which the heat is given up, respectively.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for a heat-exchanging band of the above type a structure which will enable the elements of the band to be very quickly and easily assembled or disassembled so that it is extremely inexpensive and simple to assemble the band in the original instance and to replace any desired part of the band.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a heat exchanging band of the above type which will accomplish the above objects without losing any of the selfcleaning advantage which is available for heat-exchanging band of this type.

With the above objects in view, the present invention includes a heat-exchanging band adapted to form part of a heat exchanger wherein the band moves between a pair of chambers from one of which it receives heat and to the other of which it gives up heat, this band including a pair of coil springs which extend crosswise of the band and, in accordance with the present invention, a connecting means which interconnects the pair of coil springs and which includes a portion extending crosswise of the band and serving to prevent communication between the chambers during the time the partition moves with the band between these chambers.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing part of a band according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of a partition which forms part of the band of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of another embodiment of a band according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse view of the band of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of a third embodiment of a band according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary transverse view of the band of FIG. 5.

The heat-exchanging band part of which is shown in FIG. 1 includes three layers of coil springs located one above the other in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The portion of the band which is shown in FIG. 1 is adapted to move horizontally to the right or to the left between a pair of chambers, and this band may, for example, be used in that type of heat-exchanging apparatus which is shown in US. Patent 2,740,615. The intermediate layer of coil springs of the band of FIG. 1 includes the coil springs 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d. All of these coil springs extend crosswise of the band throughout the entire width thereof. The convolutions of the coil springs 1b and 1c intermesh with the convolutions of one of these springs extending between the convolutions of the other of these springs, respectively, as indicated in FIG. 1. Also, it will be seen that the convolutions of the springs 1a and 1b intermesh while the convolutions of the springs 10 and 1d also intermesh with each other so that the springs la, 1b, 1c and lid form respectively connecting regions between each other. A connecting means is provided to interconnect the pairs of springs la and 1b and the pair of springs 1c and 1d, and each of these connecting means includes the partition 5 which also extends crosswise of the band. The partition 5 is formed at the elevation of the intermediate layer-of coil springs with a row of arcuate strip portions 5a, and these arcuate strip portions 5a alternately extend in opposite directions and have a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the convolutions of the coil springs. The convolutions of the coil spring 1a extend between one set of the alternate strip portions So, this particular set all being curved in the same direction, and the convolutions of the spring 1a extend into engagement with the other set of alternate arcuate strip portions 5a of the partition 5. The width of strip portions 5a corresponds to the diameter of the wire which is formed into the coil spring so'that the convolutions have a fairly snug fit at the places where they pass between the one set of alternate arcuate strip portions 5a into engagement with the other set. In the same way the convolutions of the coil spring lb extend between one set of alternate arcuate strip portions 5a into engagement with the other set, as indicated in FIG. 1. It will be seen that the convolutions of the coil springs 1c and 1d cooperate in exactly the same way with the partition 5 which is shown at the right in FIG. 1 and which forms part of the connecting means for interconnecting the pair of coil springs lc and 1d. The connecting means for the pair of coil springs 1a and 1b includes in addition to the partition 5 an elongated member 6 which extends through both of the coil springs 1a and 1b at the place where their convolutions intermesh, and a similar elongated member 6 extends through the intermeshing convolutions of the pair of coil springs 10 and 1d. This elongated member 6 may be in the form of a wire which is of circular cross-section as shown, although the wire may, if desired, have a rectangular cross-section. It will be seen that with this assembly after the coil springs are joined to the partitions and the wires 6 introduced as indicated in FIG. 1 and described above not only will the pairs of intermeshing coil springs be connected to each other by the wires 6 but also the partition 5 cannot be removed and remains connected with the assembly. In the particular example shown where there are three layers of coil springs which are coextensive and which are endless so as to form an endless heat-exchanging band, the upper layer, as viewed in FIG. 1, which includes the coil springs Ila-11d are joined to each other in exactly the same way through the connecting means which is formed by the partitions Sand operating with pairs of coil springs in the manner described above and shown in FIG. 1. It will thus be seen that each partition 5 forms with three of the wires 6 and with six of the coilsprings a unit which forms a part of all of the layers, and two such are shown in FIG. 1.

As is evident from FIG. 1, the coil springs of one unit intermesh with the coil springs of the next unit. Thus, the coil springs 11b and 11c interrnesh, the coil springs 1b and 1c intermesh, and the coil springs 21b and 210 intermesh. In other words the convolutions of one of the intermeshing coil springs extends between convolutions of the other of the inter-meshing coil springs. It will be noted that an additional wire 6 passes through the intermeshing coil springs Ib and 1c and serves as the only structure for interconnecting one unit with the next unit. In this way the several successive units can turn freely one with respect to the other so that the inner or outer layers of the band can expand or contract as the band so that at any given instant a plurality of these partitions 5 will be located in the tubular conduit which interconnects the pair of chambers with each other. The partitions 5 correspond closely to the cross sectional configuration of this tubular conduit, so that in this way these partitions 5 serve to prevent communication between the chambers while at the same time permitting the band to pass freely between the chambers. Thus, the partitions 5 extend throughout the entire depth and width of the band, form part of the structure for interconnecting the springs of each layer and form also the structure for connecting the several layers to each other while maintaining them spaced from each other at all times, and in addition the partitions 5 serve to seal off the heatexchanging chamhers from each other.. Moreover, it will be seen that the extent to which the pairs of coil springs which engage each partition 5 can intermesh with each other is limited by the partition 5. Thus, the extent to which the springs 1a and 1b may intermesh with each other is limited by the central row of arcuate strip portions 5a, and in the same way the upper and lower rows of arcuate strip portions 5a limit the extent of intermeshing of the other pairs of coil springs. i a

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the partition 51 which corresponds .to the partition 5 is formed only with a central row of arcuate strip portions 5111 which alternately are curved in opposite directions, as is evident from FIG. 3. With this embodiment the intermediate layer of coil springs of the heat-exchanging band is identical with that of FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes the springs la-ld which cooperate in the same way with the 'Moreover it will be seen that each unit of FIG. 3 which includes the partition 51 and a pair ofcoil springs extending crosswise of the band are interconnected by an additionalelongated member formed by a wire 6. Thus, as may be seen from FIG. 3, the pair of units illustrated therein have their springs 1b and 1c intermeshing and an additional wire 6 extends through both of the springs 1b and 1c at the intermeshing convolutions thereof so that in this way the pair of units are interconnected with each other and can turn one with respect to the other when the band moves around a roller or the like.

The upper and lower layers of the band of FIGS. 3 and 4 are each composed of a plurality of longitudinally extending coil springs which may extend throughout the entire length of the endless band, for example. Thus, the upper layer of the band shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is composed of a plurality of longitudinally extending coil springs 15 located in side-by-side relation, and the lower band is composed of a plurality of longitudinally extendingcoil-springs 25 located in side-by-side relation. The partition 51 has upper and lower edge portions respectively extending between c-onvolutions of the springslfi and 2.5, and adjacent these upper and lower edge portions each partition '51 is provided with outwardly struck tongues 16 which are received in convolutions of the coil springs 15 and 25 in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 so as to maintain the partitions 51 assembled with the longitudinally extending coil springs of the upper and lower layers of the heat-exchanging band of this embodiment. The opposed edges of each partition 51 is also formed with a series of notches 17, shown most clearly in FIG. 4, and the convolutions of the coil springs are received in these notches so as to further prevent any possibility of separation between the longitudinally extending coil springs and the partitions 51. Thus, with this embodiment of the invention as the band passes around a roller or the like one of the layers composed of the springs 15 and 25 will contract while the other will expand, and in this way the self-cleaning of the coil springs will be guaranteed.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, there are also three layers of coil springs which form the endless heat-exchanging band part of which is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and. 6. Each of the layers of coil springs is composed of a plurality of coil springs 31 which extend crosswise of the band. The partitions 52 of this embodiment are simply in the form of fiat plates which extend throughout the width and depth of the band. It will be noted that the partitions 5 and 51 also extend throughout the width and depth of of which includes a partition 52 with three pairs of springs welded thereto in the manner shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thecoil springs 31 of one unit intermesh with the coil springs 31 of the next unit and an elongated member formed by a wire 6 passes through the intermeshing coil springs of only the intermediate layer so that the units are interconnected in this way and at the same time are turnable one with respect to the other while the band passes around a roller or the like so that the inner and outer layers of coil springs may contract and expand to enhance the self-cleaning action. Of course, in all of the embodiments the coil springs of the intermediate layer turn with respect to each other while the band passes around the roller or the like so that a selfcleaning action also takes place in the intermediate layer.

Thus, with the structure of the invention a heatexchanging band is provided which has a considerable volume of material adapted to receive and give up heat. The bands of the invention are of an exceedingly simple construction and are capable of being quickly and easily assembled. Also, the possibility of replacing any unit; or in fact any one spring is provided in an exceedingly simple andquick manner. Furthermore, it will be seen that the plurality of partitions not only serve to seal the,

pair of chambers from each other in the manner described above, but in addition they serve to interconnect the several layers of the band while maintaining these layers spaced from each other so that one layer does not interfere with any other layer during movement of the band. In addition, the self-cleaning action is retained. Furthermore, it will be seen that scraping or rubbing of one layer of coil springs with another is completely avoided. Of course, while three-layer bands are shown in the drawings, the invention is applicable to bands of coil springs having any desired number of layers.

The partitions 52. of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 are of course exceedingly inexpensive and simple to manufacture. Also, the partitions 5 and 51 are quite inexpensive and simple to manufacture since they may be very quickly and inexpensively stamped from sheet metal.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of heat exchangers differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in heat-exchanging bands, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters i atent is:

1. For use in a heat exchanger, in combination, a heatexchanging band having three layers of coil springs one of which is intermediate the other two, said band including a plurality of units each of which comprises a pair of coil springs forming part of said intermediate layer and located one after the other extending crosswise of the band and a connecting means forming part of each unit and interconnecting the pair of coil springs thereof, said connecting means including a partition extending crosswise of the band and throughout the depth and width thereof, said partition being connected to all of said layers, the coil springs in each pair of coil springs extending respectively to opposite sides of the respective partition.

2. For use in a heat exchanger, in combination, a heat-exchanging band having three layers of coil springs one of wmch is intermediate the other two, said band including a plurality of units each of which comprises a pair of coil springs forming part of said intermediate layer and located one after the other extending crosswise of the band and a connecting means forming part of each unit and interconnecting the pair of coil springs thereof, said connecting means including a partition extending crosswise of the band and throughout the depth and width thereof, said partition being connected to all of said layers, said units being arranged one after the other along said band with the convolutions of the coil springs of one unit meshing between the convolutions of the coil springs of the adjoining unit; and an elongated Wire extending through the intermeshing convolutions of the coil springs of said units in only one layer for hingedly connecting said units to each other so that they can turn angularly one with respect to the other when the band moves around a roller or the like.

3. For use in a heat exchanger, in combination, a heat-exchanging band adapted to move between chambers to derive heat from one chamber and give up heat in the other chamber, said band including three layers of coil springs one of which is intermediate the other two, said 6 band including a plurality of units located one after the other with each unit having three pairs of coil springs respectively forming parts of said layers and located spaced from each other and crosswise of the band, and each unit including a connecting means connecting said pairs of said coil springs to each other and said layers to each other and said connecting means including a partition extending crosswise of the band throughout the V depth and width thereof to prevent communication between said chambers while said partition passes therebetween; and unit connecting means hingedly connecting said units to each other, said units being arranged with the convolutions of the coil springs of one unit inter-meshing with the convolutions of the coil springs of the next unit and said unit connecting means including an elongated wire extending through the intermeshing convolutions of only the intermediate layer, the coil springs of the other layers being free to move with respect to each other with said units longitudinally of the band so that when the latter passes around a roller or the like the inner and outer layers can contract and expand while said wire maintains said units connected together.

4. For use in a heat exchanger, in combination, a heatexchanging band adapted to pass between a pair of chambers to receive heat in one chamber and give up heat in the other chamber, said band having inner and outer layers formed by elongated coil springs which extend longitudinally of the band and an intermediate layer located between said inner and outer layers and formed by coil springs which extend crosswise of the band and which are arranged one after the other along the band; connecting means interconnecting pairs of said coil springs of said intermediate layer which are located one after the other, said connecting means including a partition extending throughout the depth and width of the band and crosswise thereof and having opposed edge portions extending between convolutions of said longitudinally extending coil springs of said inner and outer layers, said opposed edge portions of said partitions being formed with notches which receive parts of the convolutions of said longitudinally extending coil springs.

5. For use in a heat exchanger, in combination, a heatexchanging band adapted to pass between a pair of chambers to receive heat in one chamber and give up heat in the other chamber, said band having inner and outer layers formed by elongated coil springs which extend longitudinally of the band and an intermediate layer lo cated between said inner and outer layers and formed by coil springs which extend crosswise of the band and which are arranged one after the other along the band; connecting means interconnecting pairs of said coil springs of said intermediate layer which are located one after the other, said connecting means including a partition extending throughout the depth and width of the band and crosswise thereof and having opposed edge portions extending between convolutions of said longitudinally ex tending coil springs of said inner and outer layers, said opposed edge portions of said partitions being formed with notches which receive parts of the convolutions of said longitudinally extending coil springs, and said partitions being formed adjacent said opposed edges thereof with outwardly struck tongues which are received in convolutions of said longitudinally extending coil springs to connect the latter with said partitions.

6. For use in a heat exchanger, a flexible heat exchanger band comprising, in combination, a series of elongated coil springs arranged crosswise of said band and located adjacent to each other so as to form between each pair of adjacent coil springs a connecting region; rigid connecting means located at some of said connecting regions for connecting the coil springs adjacent thereto rigidly to each other and each of said rigid connecting means including an elongated partition which extends in the respective connecting region across and throughout the width of said band; and tiltable connecting means ar- 7 a ranged at all other connecting regions located between said aforementioned connecting regions at which said rigid connecting means are arranged, said tiltable connecting means tiltably attaching at said other connecting regions the respective adjacent coil springs to each other so as to permit flexing or" said heat exchanger band despite presence of said rigid connecting means including said elongated partitions.

7. 'For use in a heat exchanger, a flexible heat exchanger band comprising, in combination, a series of elongated coil springs arranged crosswise of said band and located adjacent to each other so as to form between each pair of adjacent coil Springs a connecting region; rigid connecting means located at every second connecting region for connecting the coil springs adjacent thereto rigidly to each other and each of said rigid connecting means including an elongated partition which extends in the respective connecting region across and throughout the width of said band; and tiltable connecting means arranged at all other connecting regions located between said aforementioned connecting regions at which said rigid connecting means are arranged, said tiltable connecting means titltably attaching at said other connecting regions the respective adjacent coil springs to each other so as to permit flexing of said heat exchanger band despite presence of said rigid connecting means including said elongated partitions.

8. For use in a heat exchanger, a flexible heat exchanger band comprising, in combination, a series of elongated coil springs arranged crosswise of said band and located adjacent to each other so as to form between each pair of adjacent coil springs a connecting region;

rigid connecting means located at every second connecting 7 region for connecting the coil springs adjacent thereto rigidly to each other and each of said rigid connecting means including an elongated partition which extends in the respective connecting region across and throughout the width of said band between adjacent coil springs, said partition being in the form of a flat plate and the respective adjacent coil springs being welded to opposite faces of said plate; and tiltable connecting means arranged at all other connecting regions located between said aforementioned connecting regions at which said rigid connecting means are arranged, said tiltable connecting means tiltably attaching at said other connecting regions the respective adjacent coil springs to each other so as to permit flexing of said heat exchanger band despite presence of said rigid connecting means including said elongated partitions.

9. For use in a heat exchanger, a flexible heat ex changer band comprising, in combination, a series of elongated coil springs arranged crosswise of said band and located adjacent to each other so as to form between each pair of adjacent coil springs a connecting region;

rigid connecting means located at every second connecting region for connecting the coil springs adjacent thereto rigidly to each other and each of said rigid connecting means including an elongated partition which extends in the respective connecting region across and throughout the width of said band between adjacent coil springs, said partition having between its ends a row of arcuate strip portions Whose curvature corresponds to the curvature of the convolutions of the coil springs, the convolutions of one coil spring adjacent said partition extending between and overlapping the convolutions of the other coil spring adjacent said partition, and said arcuate strip portions extending alternately in opposite directions so that one set of alternate arcuate strip portions extends in one direction and the other set of arcuate alternate strip portions extends in the opposite direction, the convolutions of one of said adjacent coil springs extending respectively between one of said sets of arcuate strip portions into engagement with the other of said, sets of arc'uate strip portions, while the convolutions of the other adjacent coil spring extend respectively between the other gions at which said rigid connecting means are arranged,

said tiltable connecting means tiltably attaching at said other connecting regions the respective adjacent coil springs to each other so as to permit flexing of said heat exchanger band despite presence of said rigid connecting means including said elongated partitions.

10. For use in a heat' exchanger, a flexible heat exchanger band comprising, in combination, a series of elongated coil springs arranged crosswise of said band and located adjacent to each other so as to form between each pair of adjacent coil springs a connecting region; rigid connecting means located at every second connecting region for connecting the coil springs adjacent thereto rigidly to each other and each of said rigid connecting means including an elongated partition which extends in the respective connecting region across and'throughout the width of said band between adjacent coil springs, said partition having between its ends a row of arcuate strip portions whose curvature corresponds to the curve.- ture of the convolutions of the coil springs, the convolutions of one coil spring adjacent said partition extending betweenv and overlapping the con'volutions of the other coil springadjacent said partition, and said arcuate; strip portions extending alternately in opposite directions so that one set of alternate arcu-ate strip portions extends in one direction and the other set of arcuate alternate strip portions extends in the opposite direction, the convolutions of one of said adjacent coil springs extending respectively between one of said sets of arcuate strip portions into engagement with the other of said sets of arcuate strip portions, while the convolutions of the other adjacent coil spring extend respectively between the other of said sets of arcuate strip portions into engagement with said one set of arcuate strip portions, each of said rigid connecting means includingin addition to said partition an elongated member extending crosswise through the pair of coil springs adjacent said partition at the place where the convolutions of said pair of coil springs overlap each other to prevent said coil springs'from being separated from each other as well as to prevent said partition from being separated from said coil springs; and tiltable connecting means arranged at all other connecting regions located between said aforementioned connecting regions at which said rigid connecting means are arranged, said tiltabl-e connecting means tiltably attaching at said other connecting regions the respective adjacent coil springs to each other so as to permit flexing of said heat exchanger band despite presence of said rigid connecting means including said elongated partitions.

11. For use in a heat exchanger, a flexible heat exchanger band comprising, in combination, a series of elongated coil springs arranged crosswise of said band and located adjacent to each other so as to form between each pair of adjacent coil springs a connecting region; rigid connecting means located at every second connecting region for connecting the coil springs adjacent thereto rigidly to each other and each of said rigid connecting means including an elongated partition which extends in the respective connecting region across and throughout the width of said band between adjacent coil springs, said partition having between its ends a row of arcuate strip portions whose curvature corresponds to the curvature of the convolutions of the coil springs, the convolutions of one coil spring adjacent said partition extending between and overlapping the convolutions of the other coil spring adjacent said partition, and said arcuate strip portions extending alternately in opposite directions so that one set of alternate arcuate strip portions extends in one direction and the other set of arcuate alternate strip portions extends in the opposite direction, the convolutions of one of'said adjacent coil springs extending respectively between one of said sets of arcuate strip portions into engagement with the other of said sets of arcuate strip portions, while the convolutions of the other adjacent coil spring extend respectively between the other of said sets of arcuate strip portions into engagement with said one set of arcuate strip portions, each of said rigid connecting means including in addition to said partition an elongated member extending crosswise through the pair of coil springs adjacent said partition at the place where the convolutions of said pair of coil springs overlap each other to prevent said coil springs from being separated from each other as well as to prevent sa1d partition from being separated from said coil springs, said elongated member being in the form of a wire; and tiltable connecting means arranged at all other connecting regions located between said aforementioned connecting regions at which said rigid connecting means are arranged, said tiltable connecting means tiltably attaching at said other connecting regions the respective adjacent coil springs to each other so as to permit flexing of said heat exchanger band despite presence of said rigid connecting means including said elongated partitions.

12. For use in a heat exchanger, a flexible heat exchanger band comprising, in combination, a plurality of layers of coil springs, said layers of coil springs being arranged spaced from each other in direction transverse to the elongation of the band, at least one of said layers comprising a series of coil springs arranged crosswise of the band and located adjacent to each other so as to form between each pair of adjacent coil springs a connecting region; rigid connecting means located at spaced connecting regions for connecting the coil springs adjacent thereto rigidly to each other and each of said rigid connecting means including an elongated partition which extends in the respective connecting region throughout the depth and width of said band, said rigid connecting means connecting also said layers to each other and maintaining them at predetermined position with respect to each other; and tiltable connecting means arranged in only said one layer at all other connecting regions of said one layer located between said aforementioned connecting regions at which said rigid connecting means are arranged, said tiltable connecting means tiltably attaching at said other connecting regions of said one layer the respective adjacent coil springs of only said one to each other so as to permit flexing of said heat exchanger band despite presence of said rigid connecting means.

13. For use in a heat exchanger, a flexible heat exchanger band comprising, in combination, a plurality of layers of coil springs, said layers of coil springs being arranged spaced from each other in direction transverse to the elongation of the band, said plurality of layers including one layer of coil springs arranged crosswise of said band and located adjacent to each other so as to form between each pair of adjacent coil springs a connecting region, and at least one adjoining layer of coil springs which extends longitudinally of said band; rigid connecting means located at spaced connecting regions of said one layer for connecting the coil springs adjacent thereto rigidly to each other and each of said rigid connecting means including an elongated partition which extends in the respective connecting region throughout the depth and width of said band, said rigid connecting means connecting also said layers to each other and maintaining them at predetermined position with respect to each other; and tiltable connecting means arranged in only said one layer at all other connecting regions of said one layer located between said aforementioned connecting regions at which said rigid connecting means are arranged, said tiltable connecting means tiltably attaching at said other connecting regions of said one layer the respective adjacent coil springs of only said one to each other so as to permit flexing of said heat exchanger band despite presence of said rigid connecting means.

14. For use in a heat exchanger, a flexible heat exchanger band comprising, in combination, a plurality of layers of coil springs, said layers of coil springsbeing arranged spaced from each other in direction transverse to the elongation of the band, said plurality of layers including one layer of coil springs arranged crosswise of said band and located adjacent to each other so as to form between each pair of adjacent coil springs a connecting region, and at least one adjoining layer of coil springs which extends longitudinally of said band; rigid connecting means located at spaced connecting regions of said one layer for connecting the coil springs adjacent thereto rigidly to each other and each of said rigid connecting means including an elongated partition which extends in the respective connecting region throughout the depth and width of said band, said rigid connecting means connecting also said layers to each other and maintaining them at predetermined position with respect to each other, said partition having an edge portion which extends between convolutions of said longitudinally extending coil springs; and tiltable connecting means arranged in only said one layer at all other connecting regions of said one layer located between said aforementioned connecting regions at which said rigid connecting means are arranged, said tiltable connecting means tiltably attaching at said other connecting regions of said one layer the respective adjacent coil springs of only said one to each other so as to permit flexing of said heat exchanger band despite presence of said rigid connecting means.

15. For use in a heat exchanger, a flexible heat exchanger band comprising, in combination, a plurality of layers of coil springs, said layers of coil springs being arranged spaced from each other in direction transverse to the elongation of the band, said plurality of layers including one layer of coil springs arranged crosswise of said band and located adjacent to each other so as to form between each pair of adjacent coil springs a connecting region, and at least one adjoining layer of coil springs which extends longitudinally of said band; rigid connecting means located at spaced connecting regions of said one layer for connecting the coil springs adjacent thereto rigidly to each other and each of said rigid connecting means including an elongated partition which extends in the respective connecting region throughout the depth and width of said band, said rigid connecting means connecting also said layers to each other and maintaining them at predetermined position with respect to each other, said partition having an edge portion which extends between convolutions of said longitudinally extending coil springs, and said partition having at its edge portion tongues struck from said partition and located in convolutions, respectively, of said longitudinally extending coil springs to maintain the latter joined to said partition; and tiltable connecting means arranged in only said one layer at all other connecting regions of said one layer located between said aforementioned connecting regions at which said rigid connecting means are arranged, said tiltable connecting means tiltably attaching at said other connecting regions of said one layer the respective adjacent coil springs of only said one to each other so as to permit flexing of said heat exchanger band despite presence of said rigid connecting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,849,035 Eastman Mar. 8, 1932 2,588,500 Dugan Mar. 11, 1952 2,740,615 Scholl Apr. 3, 1956 2,870,998 Woolard Jan. 27, 1959 

6. FOR USE IN A HEAT EXCHANGER. A FLEXIBLE HEAT EXCHANGER BAND COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SERIES OF ELONGATED COIL SPRINGS ARRANGED CROSSWISE OF SAID BAND AND LOCATED ADJACENT TO EACH OTHER SO AS TO FORM BETWEEN EACH PAIR OF ADJACENT COIL SPRINGS A CONNECTING REGION; RIGID CONNECTING MEANS LOCATED AT SOME OF SAID CONNECTING REGIONS FOR CONNECTING THE COIL SPRINGS ADJACENT THERETO RIGIDLY TO EACH OTHER AND EACH OF SAID RIGID CONNECTING MEANS INCLUDING AN ELONGATED PARTITION WHICH EXTENDS IN THE RESPECTIVE CONNECTING REGION ACROSS AND THROUGHOUT THE WIDTH OF SAID BAND; AND TILTABLE CONNECTING MEANS ARRANGED AT ALL OTHER CONNECTING REGIONS LOCATED BETWEEN SAID AFOREMENTIONED CONNECTING REGIONS AT WHICH SAID RIGID CONNECTING MEANS ARE ARRANGED, SAID TILTABLE CONNECTING MEANS TILTABLY ATTACHING AT SAID OTHER CONNECTING REGIONS THE RESPECTIVE ADJACENT COIL SPRINGS TO EACH OTHER SO AS TO PERMIT FLEXING OF SAID HEAT EXCHANGER BAND DESPITE PRESENCE OF SAID RIGID CONNECTING MEANS INCLUDING SAID ELONGATED PARTITIONS. 